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Ministry of Pain
I met my husband at 16. We were high school sweethearts. We married
at 20. We were truly best friends. We did everything together. Basically, we
grew up together. We were both family oriented individuals and very traditional in our views on the roles for husband/father and wife/mother. We
equally shared the parenting responsibilities yet, I instinctively took the primary role as nurturer. I enjoyed cooking for my family, keeping a clean
home and ensuring my girls were well behaved.
The additional challenge was that I allowed my husband to handle the
finances and all the “business” of running the home. The only role I had to
fulfill was “nurturing” the family. So, when he left, I was in a very unfamiliar position because, now in addition to being the “nurturer” I was forced to
run the “business” of my home. Now, I have a learning curve on top of my
emotional pain. The perfect recipe for a bitter woman. Yet, I was in control
of my response. Would I become bitter or better?
I distinctly recall this inward peace that screamed louder than my emotional pain. I sensed a “release” to thrive. And, instead of pulling away
from the changes happening to me, I learned to lean into them and adjust to
my new “unsolicited” life. Over the years I developed a love for being a
mother. I even took in a few teens over the years along with my three daughters. I realized that nurturing and running a home was “my thing.” I loved
it. Today my daughters are all college graduates thriving in their professions
and life. They are all spirit-filled young ladies with solid foundations in
Christ. I even wrote a book to women about my experience “Are You Comingling Kingdoms?” And, today I counsel and seek to assist young woman
with turning their home into Empowerment Centers.
What We Believe
One God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy
Spirit.
Jesus Christ’s deity, virgin birth, sinless humanity, sacrifice on the cross, atoning blood, bodily
resurrection, ascension to heaven and return.
The Bible is God’s infallible revelation to man.
Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone,
through Jesus Christ alone.
The one true church, the body of Christ, consisting of all believers.
At the Well and The Well Magazine are dedicated
to encouraging, enlightening, edifying and inspiring others through the power of God’s Word and
sharing our stories.
Mission Statement
Encourage
Enlighten
Edif y
Inspire
Vision Statement
The horrible pain of a divorce
exposed an innate passion that I
did not realize that I had. No
other circumstance could have
created the same opportunity for
this passion to be revealed. I am
eternally grateful for the painful
experience that trained me in the
trenches.
So, the next time pain knocks at
your door, answer it and consider
Romans 8:18:
…that the sufferings of this present
time are not worth comparing with the
glory that is to be revealed!
Melanie Staggers is an ordained minister and the founder of Expressions of
Grace, a non-profit ministry dedicated to
strengthening the unity of families. She
is known for her passionate teaching
style on topics such as parenting, female
accountability, health through God’s
eyes and living an authentic and contemplative spiritual lifestyle. She is a natural health consultant and the author of
Don’t run from emotional pain,
Are You Co-Mingling Kingdoms?
endure it. Get in the Word of
God and, allow God to transform Blending the World’s Methods
you through your painful experi- with God’s Standards. For more
information about Melanie and her
ence and launch you into your
book, contact her at revstagnew possibilities.
[email protected].
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The Well Magazine Fall/Winter 2015
Through the testimonies, stories and information
provided on At the Well
(www.monicafountain.com) and
The Well Magazine
(www.thewellmagazine.blogspot.com):
That God would be glorified
That Jesus would be recognized as the Savior of
the world
That people would be edified, enlightened and
encouraged through the testimonies of others
who have overcome.
That community would be inspired to live out its
faith, using the experience, knowledge and wisdom provided to live abundantly personally and
make a difference in their community and world.